Anthony Foley has named probably the strongest Munster line-up of the season in the rescheduled Champions Cup tie against Stade Francais. The big news is that Conor Murray returns from injury to start the game, allowing Tomas O'Leary to move to the bench.
Murray partners Ian Keatley, who will be looking to build off a good showing against Ulster following a period of indifferent form. Rory Scannell is building a good name for himself at inside centre, and the youngster's centre pairing with Francis Saili will get another game to grow. In the back three, Foley reverts to his first choice trio of Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, and Andrew Conway.
Tommy O'Donnell continues his return from the hip injury that ruled him out of World Cup. He is joined in the backrow with captain CJ Stander and the in form Robin Copeland.
There isn't the strength in depth off the bench for Foley's men, but Munster will be looking for impact from the likes of Jack O'Donoghue and Ronan O'Mahony in the second half.
MunXV #StaVMun Conway; Earls, Saili, RScannell, Zebo; Keatley, Murray; Kilcoyne, Sherry, Botha; Foley, Chisholm; Copeland, TO’D, Stander(c)
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 8, 2016
Replacements #StaVMun NScannell, JRyan, Sagario, BHolland, O’Donoghue, O’Leary, Hurley, RO’Mahony
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 8, 2016
Munster will be looking to capitalise on Stade's recent run of indifferent form that's seen them lose to Oyonnax and Bordeaux in the last month. The game kicks off at 4.45 pm in Paris on Saturday.
